So we’re in the midst of exploring Philippians 4:8’s call to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  If we think we want to confront someone on something, our first step is to align ourselves with the Lord’s desires for our thoughts.  We’ve got to first be sure that our hearts and our thoughts are of the Lord – that they are for sure His desire for our relationship with the person we think we need to confront. Thinking on Philippian’s 4:8 things is a great way to recalibrate our minds.

We’ve been camping out on ‘lovely’ most recently, challenging ourselves to have thoughts that inspire love and call forth love in others.  Doing so means not setting our minds on criticism.  A few principles that can help keep us from that ‘critical’ tipping point:

• A weakness is often simply a strength taken to an extreme.
• Beware of the things you love most about someone – those are the things Satan will use to drive you crazy!
• Whenever we think something negative about someone, immediately think of two positive things about them.

The Lord has been gracious to use these principles powerfully in my life.  I pray He does in yours as well!

Now as we’re talking about keeping from becoming critical, it almost feels like there is an elephant in the room.  You know, the big Christian elephant.  The one that everyone wonders:  Why are Christians so judgmental?

Since having lovely thoughts includes not setting our minds on criticism, since judgmental thoughts are, well, critical, and since Christians are so well known for being judgmental, I think it’s important we dig into this… and dig into it well.

I have huge concerns that, while some judgment is godly, other judgment is flat out sin.  And worse, it’s sin that we justify.

I have great concern that we’ve baptized some sinful judgment that is actually hugely destructive to the kingdom and to our witness to others.  So I want us to explore carefully this topic of judging.

Righteous judgment?  AMEN!

But all other judgment – which includes quite a lot – what do we do with that?  The best thing for the kingdom is to get it outta here!  The best thing for the kingdom is to send it to the place with the {double hockey sticks}.

I’m excited to journey with you as we attempt to rightly divide this ‘judging’ thing.  I think it will be of immense value to the kingdom… and to our witness to others.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  ~ John 13:35